Renovating

Homes wired for the future

Ethernet cabling, household apps are lifestyle game-changers

Sylvain Blouin’s holds some of he unused cat 5 and video cable in his new high tech home that is filled with ethernet cabling that connects his entire house, video conference equipment and home theatre and audio system

Photograph by: Greg Southam
, Edmonton Journal

When Farkad Saaid and Adil Dabagh started designing and building homes over 10 years ago, their mission was simple yet ambitious. "Our goal was to build custom homes that were luxurious and yet affordable," explains Saaid, president of Romaya Homes Inc. "Building people's dreams is what we are about."

Saaid and Dabagh took this mission seriously and knew that they had to consider current and future technology when it came to creating custom dream homes for their clients. "Sometimes people think of what they want at the moment," says Saaid, "and it's our job to make sure they have a home that satisfies their needs for the future, too."

Consumers are reintroduced to the changing world of technology on a daily basis. Having the support available to meet these demands is no longer just a plan for the future, it is a need for the present.

Homeowner Sylvain Blouin recently moved his family into their luxury Romaya bungalow. "The design and attention to detail is phenomenal," says Blouin. "They have taken convenience and security to a new level."

When it comes to making dreams come true, securing your investment and your peace of mind is a fundamental belief for Saaid and Dabagh.

"When we design a home, we look at the future technology and plan for it as a standard in our homes today," says Dabagh.

Telecommunications, media and security systems are all state of the art. "We have to think of the future for our clients," he continues. "We provide Cat-5 cabling in all of our homes to accommodate current and future demands."

Cat-5 - also referred to as Ethernet cable - is short for Category 5 cable and is the standard for network and telecommunication wiring in Romaya Homes. Current technology has developed advanced data processing capabilities, and the need for cable and wiring to handle heavier data streams has become critical.

"What I love about Romaya's planning," explains Blouin,"is that they place a router in the basement and then they wire the entire house with the Cat-5 cable."

This allows every room in the home to have the ability to access either wireless or hardwire connections. Some examples of the technology that requires this forethought are window coverings that can be opened and closed using a timer or a remote control, as well as a video telephone that is offered through ACN telecommunications.

ACN was recently featured on an episode of Celebrity Apprentice and is considered a leader in global com-munications. "This feature is outstanding," says Blouin. "Frequently I work from my home office, and a phone system like this could allow me to communicate visually with my business associates clearly in real time."

The ACN system requires a modem, and although it can be plugged in at home, it also has the unique capability of travelling with you anywhere in the world. It uses the local number without accruing additional longdistance or roaming charges. You can be in Japan and send and receive phone calls using your local number, as if you were back at home.

Saaid and Dabagh recognize the changes occurring in communications and ensure their homes are prepared to adjust for this new wave. "Many people have a need for a home office," says Dabagh. "And providing the wiring for efficient use of future processes is more cost effective at the building stage."

The Wi-Fi capabilities throughout the home provide additional comfort and convenience. "I control the music in various rooms in the house and in the theatre room," explains Blouin, "all through a remote control."

The wiring standards at Romaya also are compatible with the newest trends in home security. With security cameras poised in key locations around the perimeter and special sensors placed in the interior, Blouin knows his home is secure.

"Security means everything to me and my family," Blouin says. "This Telsco system offers us peace of mind - whether we are at home or not."

Telsco is a local security company that uses Honeywell monitoring units and has been in existence for over 40 years.

According to Nicki Drinkell, Telsco security consultant, "Homeowners can now take advantage of the new Internet and cellular-based technology, which allows the homeowner to remotely arm, disarm and receive alerts through a laptop or smartphone."

"This is amazing," explains Blouin.

"By simply installing an app on my smartphone, as long as I am in wireless range, I can be sitting on a beach and I have the ability to arm or disarm my security system."

This would allow you to disarm the system if you need to let someone into your home when you are out and then arm it again once they leave - all through a smartphone.

No more stressing on the way to the airport wondering if you remembered to arm the system before you left - you can check the status anywhere at any time.

This type of technology was, not too long ago, reserved for science fiction.

The future has now arrived. Homebuilders recognize this is the standard that homeowners need today.

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Sylvain Blouin’s holds some of he unused cat 5 and video cable in his new high tech home that is filled with ethernet cabling that connects his entire house, video conference equipment and home theatre and audio system

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